Presented By: Germanic Languages & Literatures
German Department: 4th Annual Open-Book Translation Contest
RSVP by Monday, April 11, 5 p.m.
Description: Students are invited to put their translating prowess to the test by participating in the Fourth Annual University of Michigan German Department Open-Book Translation Contest! This contest will be judged by a panel of three faculty members. The entries will be identified only by the student’s university ID number, making the judging anonymous. There will be monetary prizes of $115 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place.
Participants: All undergraduate UM students currently enrolled in a German course or who are registered as a German major or minor are welcome to participate.
Registration: All contest participants are required to register for the contest by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at the latest! Please register by contacting Andrew Mills via email: (ajmills@umich.edu).
Alternative times: If students can demonstrate that they cannot make the contest time due to their class schedule or work schedule constraints, an alternative time and location can be arranged with Andrew. This alternative time must be arranged and confirmed before 5 p.m. on Monday, April 11, and must take place at some point during the day of Thursday, April 14.
Contest Rules: The contest will be held under the same conditions used by the American Translators Association (ATA) for its certification exam. Students will have approximately 90 minutes to translate a text by hand that will be provided for them. The translation will be from German to English. The contest will be held in “open book” format. Students will not have access to the internet, but may bring and use as many hardback or paperback dictionaries as they wish. All students receive the same text, which will be approximately 225-275 words in length. The contest must be written in (dark) pencil capable of being photo-copied for the judges. Students must bring their own pencils. Paper will be provided.
The text to be translated will be “general” in nature. This text expresses a view, sets forth an argument, or presents an idea or situation. Examples include: a newspaper editorial or clip, an essay, or a passage from a non-fiction book. The contest passage is chosen in such a way as to avoid highly specialized terminology requiring research. There are indeed terminology challenges in the text, but they may be met with a good general dictionary, as well as cultural and historical knowledge of Germany.
Accommodations may be made for participants who demonstrate that they cannot write the text by hand. Please contact Andrew Mills at ajmills@umich.edu.
Participants: All undergraduate UM students currently enrolled in a German course or who are registered as a German major or minor are welcome to participate.
Registration: All contest participants are required to register for the contest by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at the latest! Please register by contacting Andrew Mills via email: (ajmills@umich.edu).
Alternative times: If students can demonstrate that they cannot make the contest time due to their class schedule or work schedule constraints, an alternative time and location can be arranged with Andrew. This alternative time must be arranged and confirmed before 5 p.m. on Monday, April 11, and must take place at some point during the day of Thursday, April 14.
Contest Rules: The contest will be held under the same conditions used by the American Translators Association (ATA) for its certification exam. Students will have approximately 90 minutes to translate a text by hand that will be provided for them. The translation will be from German to English. The contest will be held in “open book” format. Students will not have access to the internet, but may bring and use as many hardback or paperback dictionaries as they wish. All students receive the same text, which will be approximately 225-275 words in length. The contest must be written in (dark) pencil capable of being photo-copied for the judges. Students must bring their own pencils. Paper will be provided.
The text to be translated will be “general” in nature. This text expresses a view, sets forth an argument, or presents an idea or situation. Examples include: a newspaper editorial or clip, an essay, or a passage from a non-fiction book. The contest passage is chosen in such a way as to avoid highly specialized terminology requiring research. There are indeed terminology challenges in the text, but they may be met with a good general dictionary, as well as cultural and historical knowledge of Germany.
Accommodations may be made for participants who demonstrate that they cannot write the text by hand. Please contact Andrew Mills at ajmills@umich.edu.
Explore Similar Events
-
Loading Similar Events...